President declares emergency for Va.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - President Barack Obama has declared an emergency for Virginia as a result of Superstorm Sandy.

Obama's declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help state and local authorities respond to the storm.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesman Bob Spieldenner says officials will begin assessing damage in coastal areas Tuesday morning.

Northern Virginia is still being hit with rain and wind, while southwestern counties are bracing for snow.

Cleanup began Tuesday, after Hurricane Sandy passed through Hampton Roads, leaving debris on roadways and areas flooded.

Less than 800 customers are without power in Hampton Roads and northern North Carolina, according to Dominion Virginia Power. 75,452 total customers were impacted since 4 p.m. Saturday, according to spokesman Bonita HArris.

At this time, Dominion's main work includes repairing broken poles and downed power lines. Power has been restored to all schools in the area.

Click here for the latest maps, wind speeds and track of Sandy.

The National Weather Service says moderate tidal flooding is expected throughout Tuesday and into the evening. Water levels could rise two to four feet above normal tide Tuesday.

Forecasters say coastal residents should remain on alert for rising water.

Sandy forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sent coastal residents fleeing for higher ground, and threatened to bring a dangerous mix of high winds, soaking rain and a surging wall of water.

Sandy made landfall in New Jersey shortly after 7 p.m. Monday as flooding took over Atlantic City. Rescues are still under way in New Jersey, where two neighboring communities found themselves suddenly inundated by as much as five feet of water Tuesday morning.

New York City is nearly isolated -- cut off by car, train and air -- a day after the pounding from superstorm Sandy. The storm is blamed for dozens of deaths.

Stay with WAVY News on air and online as further updates become available.